• More incidents but fewer fines issed • Criminal gangs leave toxic rubbish tips • More must be done, say landowners Fewer people are being fined for fly-tipping – despite an increase in rubbish being illegally dumped in the countryside. Latest figures show 1.15 million incidents on public land... Read more
A new forecast is helping sheep producers accurately predict the timing of the next nematodirus outbreak, writes Nerys Wright. Significant variations in weather conditions make forecasts difficult from year to year. But when an outbreak does occurs, it can rapidly cause severe harm or even death in a large... Read more
Staying vigilant for signs of liver fluke and worms is paramount for sheep farmers, as the risk of parasites becomes increasingly variable, say advisers. Traditional risk periods for parasites are no longer applicable and regular monitoring is the only way to know if – and when – treatment is... Read more
• Mixed farm switches to all-livestock • Change secures future for business • Other farms can do same process A beef and sheep farmer is switching from a mixed arable system to an all-livestock operation to improve farm resilience and performance. David Cross – who is an AHDB Beef... Read more
Turkey producer Paul Kelly is inviting people in the sector to join the Worshipful Company of Poulters – and support its charitable work. Daring back to 1368, the poulters livery company was founded to regulate London’s poultry, swans, pigeons, rabbits and small game. Today, it operates as a charitable... Read more
Good biosecurity is top of agenda A Staffordshire poultry producer has ramped up biosecurity in a bid to keep his business safe from bird flu. Mark Holt houses 40,000 turkeys in four state-of-the-art sheds at Toft Farm Growers, near Stafford. Formerly a dairy farming business, the Holt family diversified... Read more
UK pork production is expected to remain steady in 2025, suggests the latest forecast from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Limited growth in breeding herd numbers and continued pressure on export markets will be offset by demand from a thriving foodservice sector and consumers looking for convenient, affordable... Read more
• Cost-benefit vaccine calculator • Helps to properly assess risks • Already being used in the field A new weapon is helping vets and farmers decide whether it is worthwhile vaccinating livestock against bluetongue. The Battle Bluetongue tool is a vaccination finance calculator to help beef and sheep producers... Read more
Wireworm risk should be routinely assessed ahead of potato planting to combat the increased threat of pest damage to crops, say experts. Historically associated with grassland rotations in south-west England, changing farm practices and climatic conditions have seen a continuous creep of the soil-borne pest to other regions in... Read more
Threat more prevalent this season Changing rotations and reduced tillage could explain why a key disease is becoming more prevalent and damaging in potato crops. Potato growers need to be alert to the threat of Rhizoctonia solani this spring – especially farms moving less soil between crops. Reduced tillage... Read more